Okay, so I know I still have one more sequel to go before I was supposed to post this, but I think basically this covers what happens. But not to worry- once I work out the issues, the other one will be posted soon. I just have a lot to do right now, and school is seriously taking its toll on me.

But this is posted just to show that I haven't forgotten about you guys, and I really appreciate the support.

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"I can't…"

"You owe it to yourself, Tony!"

"Pepper…you have no idea-"

"…Through sickness and health…"

"…Till death do us part."

"His name is Jason."

"Tony…"

"Pep…thank you."

"For what?"

"Everything."

Tony Stark sat up slowly, opening his eyes. He sighed heavily. Whatever that dream had been, he didn't care to remember. Smiling, his gaze drifted to the red-haired woman next to him, still sleeping peacefully. Tony stroked Pepper's cheek softly, but she made no movement to show she was awake. He slid out of bed and quietly closed the door to their bedroom behind him.

****

Rubbing his neck, Tony searched the refrigerator for a drink. Knowing his search was pointless, he sighed and closed the door. Leaning on the kitchen counter, Tony sighed again. A headache. Just what I need right now, he thought sarcastically. He rubbed his forehead.

"Daddy?" For the first time that morning, Tony's face split into a grin. He walked over towards his five-year-old son, Jason, who had been silently watching him. "Are you okay?" Tony knelt down in front of the boy.

"Yeah," he answered in surprise. Sitting down on the couch, he pulled Jason onto his lap. "Of course."

"You're awake early."

"So are you," Tony said pointedly. Jason smiled guiltily. Tony frowned and eyed the boy strangely. "What're you up to, huh?"

"Nothing," he said innocently. Tony smirked.

I'll let it go for now.

Jason rested his head on his father's shoulder. After a minute, the boy broke the silence, and looked at Tony with his deep brown eyes.

"Daddy?"

"Yeah?"

"Is it hard?" Confused, Tony looked at his miniature.

"Is what hard?" Jason shrugged.

"I dunno," he answered. "Being you." Tony smiled.

"Sometimes," he responded seriously. Jason tried to stifle a yawn, but it didn't go unnoticed. Tony looked at him, eyebrows raised. "Back to bed, mister."

"But-"

"No buts. Bed. Now," Tony said firmly, pointing down the hall. Jason pouted, but did as his father said.

After he had left, Tony called out, "Jarvis? You up?"

"For you, sir, always," the AI answered in his cool English accent.

"Make sure he stays there."

"Yes, sir," Jarvis responded as Tony headed down the stairs to his workshop.

****

Later that morning, Pepper found Tony exactly where she thought she would-in the workshop, toying with the Iron Man suit, his clothes stained with grease. He had just barely turned around when Pepper wrapped her arms around him waist. Tony smiled.

"Hey," he said, surprised.

"I just wanted to say 'good luck'," she responded.

"What, you think I would've left without saying goodbye?" Tony asked. "Come on, Pepper." She smiled half-heartedly. "What is it?" She shook her head.

"Nothing," Pepper replied. Tony raised his eyebrows.

"Well, 'nothing' seems to be the source of the tears," he noted, seeing a tear slip down her cheek.

"Tony…I…" Her voice faltered.

"I'll be fine," he said reassuringly.

"I know, it's just…"

"It's just what?" Tony asked. "You're trembling. What's wrong, Pepper?" She released herself from his arms and avoided her husband's inquiring glance.

"How can you be sure?" Pepper asked, her voice barely more than a whisper. "I can't lose you."

"Pep…"

"Not again, Tony," she said. "I can't lose you again." He gently took her hand in his, bringing her closer to him.

"It'll be all right," he whispered into her ear. "I promise." A tear trailed down her cheek. "There's something else, isn't there?" Tony felt her stiffen in his arms. "Tell me." Pepper swallowed.

"Tony…I…" she said again, looking anywhere but into his eyes. Tony lightly lifted her chin up and looked into her eyes.

"Pepper, please…tell me," he said softly.

"I…Tony…I'm pregnant," she said quietly, looking down at her shoes. Tony's solemn face turned into a smile. He lifted her chin up again and kissed her lightly.

"Are you sure?" Pepper nodded silently. He put his arms around her waist and she hugged him tightly, tears now flowing freely.

"I can't lose you, Tony," she whispered. "I love you." He smiled sadly.

"I love you, Pepper," he said quietly. "That's why I have to do this." He stepped away reluctantly and looked away from her.

"Tony, please," she pleaded. "Don't leave me." He gave Pepper a crooked smile and took her hand, pulling her closer to him. She exhaled, relaxing noticeably. Tony extended his other hand and lightly brushed past Pepper's still flat stomach. She smiled into his chest and kissed him softly.

"I…" Tony's voice faltered. "I told Fury I would go, Pep. I don't have a choice."

"You always have a choice, Tony!" she argued. The door to the workshop opened, and they turned to see Jason standing in the doorway.

"I heard yelling," the boy said quietly. Pepper sighed and picked him up, kissing his forehead. "What's wrong?" She smiled.

"Nothing's wrong, Jase," she said softly. "It's all right." Pepper raised her eyebrows at Tony.

"Yeah," he agreed, taking his son into his own arms. He ruffled Jason's dark hair. "Don't worry about it, kid." Pepper gently placed her hand on Tony's shoulder.

"Tony…" she said quietly. "If you need to go…go." He turned around, disbelief evident in his eyes. Pepper swallowed. "What you do…it makes the world a safer place. I may not like it…but I'm very proud of you." Tony smiled slightly.

"I love you," he said, putting Jason on the floor. He bent down slightly and kissed her full on the lips, wrapping his arms tightly around her waist. She slightly protested, and Tony broke the kiss, confused. "Pepper?"

"There is a child present," she said through gritted teeth. His face flushed.

"Sorry." He picked Jason up and smiled. "Hey, buddy. When I get back, we're gonna do something fun, okay?" The five-year-old frowned.

"Where're you going?" he asked, his eyes following his father's. Tony sighed.

"I'm gonna be gone for a little while, Jase," he said carefully. "But I'll be back soon, I promise." Jason's dark eyes scanned the workshop, and they landed on the Mark IV suit.

"You mean in the suit?" he asked softly. Tony felt his heart break. His son clearly shared Pepper's view on Iron Man.

"Yeah, in the suit." Jason nodded silently and wrapped his arms around Tony's neck.

"I don't want you to go," he said, his voice sounding way too mature for his age. Tony handed the boy to Pepper and softly kissed his head, then lightly kissing her lips. She tried to smile and took his hand. He squeezed it gently and let go.

God, Pepper…if only you knew how much this kills me every time I have to go…

Tony stepped into the suit, and it quickly covered his entire body, save his head. He turned around.

They need to know that this isn't just for me. This is for the world.

His dark eyes connected with Pepper's light blue ones.

"I love you," he said. His eyes switched from hers to Jason's. "All of you. And I'll be back as soon as I can. Just look to the sky…and I'll be there. I promise." The mask covered his face, and Iron Man shot up into the sky.

Hot tears trailed down Tony's face.

I hope what I'm doing is worth the sacrifices. Or am I just putting more pressure on everyone else? Maybe I won't ever know.

Iron Man gained speed, heading towards Afghanistan, where he knew some terrorist would soon get a taste of what it feels like to be helpless and alone.

****

So, do you think it's worthy to have the title I gave it? I really hope it is-I worked hard to get it right. A lot of copying, cutting, pasting, etc. But please let me know.

Some facts:
Jason's full name is Jason Anthony Stark. He has his father's color eyes and hair. I don't know exactly how he looks like Pepper, but he does inherit her dislike of the suit, and her "responsibility", as in having to remind Tony that he has a meeting. And he can never refuse. Pepper uses this to her advantage. Later, it will become evident that he has also inherited Tony's genius. But that's not really part of this chapter.

I haven't really given thought to the name or gender of their new baby. If you have any ideas, PLEASE share them. The only thing I won't accept is, if it's a girl, naming her Maria. It's been done way too many times. But for a middle name, it's all right.

I know that his name is my name, but I swear I didn't do that on purpose. I just liked how it sounded. Nothing else really sounded right. Maybe you know how that goes.

Thanks for sticking with me-

Jason (Kent, not Stark. Two different comic universes.)